Brand New “Out of the Box” Corvette

Antalya-based ARES Shipyard, which is well known for its robust naval vessels, has revealed a new generation design of a compact corvette that will dramatically change the perceptions of conventional warfare towards less or unmanned cutting edge technology in the naval operations theatre.

For countries seeking to safeguard their international rights and interests outside of local law enforcement entities’ responsibilities within their exclusive economic zones (EEZ) or in international waters, the ARES 76 Corvette represents a state-of-the-art option. Navies tend to identify multipurpose, medium-displacement warship platforms (that are relatively shorter in length) to meet evolving combat missions. With array of features, the ARES 76 Corvette will easily meet any of these requirements.

With its basic attributes, the ARES 76 Corvette owns strong combat power in all three primary types of warfare; however, its payload diversity sets it apart. To guide weapons their designated targets, the corvette is fitted with advanced sensors that are fully integrated in a compact combat management system (CMS). ASELSAN’s electronic Warfare (EW) suite can identify and diagnose potential threats that are being detected by the 3D/4D radar, and ASELSAN’s EOS (Electro-Optic Suit) system can visually identify and diagnose the same information. These valuable data are compatible with LINK-16-22 TDL (Tactical Data Link) systems, enabling precise target detection and tactical picture generation. With the corvette’s lightweight, fully outfitted vertical take-off and landing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), the likelihood of detection and identification is maximized.

The ARES 76 Corvette is fitted with one MKE A.Ş.–developed 76mm naval gun for Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS), four (optionally eight) of ROKETSAN’s proven Atmaca anti-ship missiles with a 250-km range and two 12.7mm Remote Weapon Stations (RMS) for performing in the Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) domain.

One of the main features that sets the ARES 76 Corvette apart from other similar-sized vessels is its payload versatility for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Four ORKA lightweight torpedoes (LWTs) plus a six-launcher ASW rocket system (from ROKETSAN) can eliminate subsea threats identified by METEKSAN’s YAKAMOS hull-mounted sonar system. Supporting sensors and electronic systems include the XBT launching system and an underwater telephone.

Thanks to its extensive capabilities, the ARES 76 Corvette can maintain the highest level of shielding to protect itself or the High-Valuable Unit (HVU) and its task group when performing in the ASuW domain. Following a reliable assessment of the data obtained from the corvette’s 3D/4D radar, attacking missiles can be neutralized passively using MKE’s chaff decoy systems or ASELSAN’s GÖKSUR Point Defence Missile System (PDMS). The ARES 76 Corvette can deploy and recover various types of ULAQ USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles), a development by ARES Shipyard and a Turkish-first, depending on the end user’s concept of operations such as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), ASW or KAMA (‘Kamikaze’).

The new generation of corvettes demand a robust and elaborately considered platform architecture in order to accommodate all of these advanced weapon systems and sensors. This requirement necessitates the development of a cutting-edge design, exceptional seakeeping characteristics and platform capabilities that will be minimally affected by rough seas, and provide first-rate living and working quarters for the crew. To ensure an optimum benefit with the least staff requirement, the platform’s superiority and electronic capabilities are crucial. Less than 50 qualified crew are needed to operate the ARES 76 Corvette, which offers these features with less than half of the crew members on similar-sized warships.

ARES Shipyard CEO Utku Alanc delivered a statement about the new product release: “We have developed [the] ARES 76 Corvette in response to a solid inquiry received from a confidential ally navy. Thanks to our immense experience in robust manned and unmanned solutions, this exceptional platform is soon going to be the new ‘game changer’ in [the] naval operations theatre. With [this] new-generation compact corvette, we will change the perceptions of conventional warfare, challenging the existing frigate and corvette solutions, integrating manned and unmanned systems for joint operations, considering life cycle costs with much less crew requirement, combining and collecting multi-disciplinary combat and self-defence systems on a 76m compact platform. It will be a great experience for us to see it on friendly waters soon!”

ARES 76 Corvette excels in combat with its strong attributes across all warfare types. Equipped with high-tech sensors and a compact combat management system, it ensures precise targeting. ASELSAN’s EW suite and advanced radar and electro-optic systems detect and diagnose threats effectively. Compatibility with Link-16-22 TDL sensors enhances target detection accuracy, while a VTOL UAV further boosts detection capabilities.